Open area hunting permits

When to get

These permits are required to hunt in 'open areas' for ground based, non-commercial hunting of pigs, goats, deer, wallabies, chamois and tahr. Find open hunting areas.

Open areas are areas that operate under the standard hunting permit conditions. Special conditions may be included in some open area hunting permits, eg. the permit may not be valid during busy times when the area is balloted or blocked, or a separate dog permit may be required.

Restricted area hunting permits

When to get

Restricted permits are issued for areas that are not open hunting areas, for ground based, non-commercial hunting of pigs, goats, deer, wallabies, chamois and tahr. They may also be issued for non standard hunting in open hunting areas, eg for use of muzzleloaders.

Restricted permits often have specific special conditions, eg for a limited period.

Where to get

Restricted permits are not available online. They are obtained from the nearest DOC visitor centre or local DOC office that manages hunting in the restricted area.

Small game hunting permits

You need a small game hunting permit from DOC for the recreational hunting of small game on public conservation land. Small game includes Canada geese*, feral geese, hares and rabbits (which are unprotected game animals). Note: not all regions have small game hunting areas available.

Game bird permits

When to get

You need a separate permit to hunt game birds on public conservation land in addition to the game bird hunting licence from Fish and Game NZ. Game bird permits are for specific areas and time periods. Note: not all regions have game bird hunting areas available.

Where to get

Game bird permits are only issued though the local DOC office that administers the site.

Note: Canada geese* or feral geese are considered small game - a small game hunting permit is required to hunt these birds.

* The status of Canada geese changed on 9 June 2011 when they were transferred from Schedule 1 to Schedule 5 of the Wildlife Act 1953. This change meant that Canada geese are no longer protected as “game birds” and that any authorised hunter can hunt or kill geese at any time of the year without the need for a game licence. Hunters wanting to hunt geese on conservation land still need to get a hunting permit but no longer need a game licence.

Possum permits

When to get

To hunt possums on public conservation land you need a possum permit.

Note: some possum areas are managed on a block system (usually one permit holder per block), which may be available on a balloted or on a first come, first served basis. Check with the local DOC office.

Where to get

Possum permits are issued by the local DOC office that administers the area you wish to hunt in.

Traps

You also need permission from DOC to use traps on public conservation land - contact the local DOC office.

The person assisting you will provide you with a DOC possum trapping permit (PDF, 86K) and work though the sections of the permit with you. They will also assist you to mark on a map where the traps will be used. It's likely that the permit will be approved at the time of completion.

This permit is also used to approve other non-DOC trapping operations for possum control.